With allegations of intimidation, accusations of rape and plundering of virgin land and attacks on the Church, this latest chapter in the thriller story of Zonqor point is quickly developing into a monster, the likes of which we last saw in past decades of the Mintoffian regime. 

That we were given a comic relief character, in the shape of the Palestinian immigration consultant, ThaerMukbel,  gesticulating and making laughable signs to who knows who, does little to detract our minds presently from the grotesque horror that is unfolding before us once again.

That is, because it was only  two short years ago, during the 2013 election campaign that people were reminded of the injustices and violence of the 70’s and 80’s only to be ridiculed and told to move on and join the movement.   Critics too, are quick to draw comparisons with the PN administration over land utilisation.  But is that what the crucial point is here?   The real factor that is disconcerting people is not just the choice of land at Zonqor in an ODZ area, but the re-emergence of bullying, underhand tactics, outright anti-democratic practice and the threat of intimidation and fear rumbling over the green fields.  That side show had been shut down and every effort was made to achieve a more just society.

The farmers who wanted to sign a petition have been frightened against it and asked to have their name removed from the list.  Attacks followed on the Archbishop when he spoke up against the use of Zonqor fields for the University and Marlene Farrugia is ostracised by the party she belongs to.   One honest woman in Nadur receives vile messages for having come public with her views on spring hunting.  There are others, students and regular employees, who are afraid to speak up about issues in their workplace, in fear of retaliation.  The air around is secretive and menacing.  We are suffocating under the presence of “persons of trust” infiltrating all the institutions and corporations, government ranks, the Police and the Army.  Even those who are not directly affected can sense it, let alone the ones who are in the middle of it.

The warning shots came early on, with the arrest of Norman Vella over the fictitious photos, the rise and fall of prominent persons, the change of fortune of many others and the establishment of a media empire.   Mobile phones are confiscated and even a cup of tea has to be made by a person of trust.

Panic must be rising though, when it is necessary to cause the farmers and the public to feel afraid of speaking out. Maybe the result of the hunting referendum exposed the weakness of arguments and there is the perception that fear tactics are necessary again.  This is the scandal. 

Were it not, the obvious thing to have happened when the location of Zonqor was presented by MEPA was to laugh and return it to sender.  Or, at least,  to have mentioned that it was proposed and wait for the reaction from the public, which has clearly rejected the choice, thereby taking it off the table as happened with several other applications in the past.

In addition, in a scheme worthy of any dictatorial regime, local council elections which were due to be held in 2017 will be postponed, contracts are kept away from scrutiny, corruption allegations are flung close and far, and the state coffers are laid open for all the party apparatchik to gorge upon. 

Whatever measure of accountability we had in the form of polling is also rather worthless now as it is clear that the respondents will hold back from giving an honest reply.   The best means of hearing the truth is, as witnessed by the deputy mayor of Marsascala,  Desiree Attard , by going door to door, when canvassing and visiting constituents.   Whom people choose to trust with their opinion will remain to be seen but selective social media comments will only lead to more deception. 

Ultimately, the truth that is now in the open is that Joseph Muscat is as reliant on construction for the perception of economic activity, as a wolf on a lamb.   The service economy has not yet caught up with him.  It’s still cement and stone which makes up his road map.  Perhaps his friend Konrad Mizzi has been filling his head with the cement bags of Mater Dei and Azerbaijan builds skyscrapers so we should too.  Everything is geared around Azerbaijan.  They want passports, they want visas, they want luxury apartments, they want energy markets, they want a place at the EU table and if a friend such as Sadeen wants a field, then he should get it.  What’s the problem my friend?

It is hard to see that anyone is going to stand in the PM’s way of realising this dream, even it if means sacrificing his own party.  Muscat is not in the people business.  He is on a mission to Mars.  It may still impress some followers but in the meantime, the usual suspects will strive to  silence the rumblings of dissent.

The irony is that so many people were so willing to allow this government to make mistakes, to create new chances, to deliver the goods and to take the country to, as anticipated,  another level.  Where the PN in government was scrutinised on every move and by every media and every organisation, the Movement of Joseph Muscat was given a carte blanche and the benefit of the doubt.   In spite of all that, a new movement has been created, one to defend the country from abuse of power and there should be others too, to call for the publication of secret agreements, on the transfer of lands without permission, about the power station that has not been built, about the jobs that have been dished out without merit and with staggering salaries to go with them, against the compromisation of our capital city for the hawkers and the sale of our reputation for profit. 

The most opposition for the PN came from Franco Debono and co.  After that it was a huge loss at the polls, in an expected transition of power.  And as Maryanne Curmi, the persecuted hairdresser  ofNadur has said, everyone was able to speak freely against the government under the PN so why not now, under labour?   Yet, within two years in power, as called for and as needed, the people from all walks of society and NGOs are uniting to form a coalition to protect the environment. 

Any more intimidation will only lead to more courage to speak out as has already happened.  We cannot, ever, allow our country to become the fiefdom of one person’s ambitions.  They can make mistakes, they can lose or win, fail or succeed, but they must remain accountable.  That is why Dr Gonzi is seen today, more and more, as having left a positive legacy and tenure.

Being “Positive” has left the room.